Sydney Thunder paceman Dirk Nannes chasing Aussie T20 berth

DIRK Nannes is mounting a serious case to earn a spectacular national Twenty20 recall at the age of 36.

Nannes said he felt "absolutely dudded" by selectors when dropped from the T20 side at the start of last year -- informing him of their desire to embrace a youth policy before picking 40-year-old Brad Hogg 12 months later.

The journeyman fast bowler -- who has represented Australia and Holland, and 12 T20 teams in seven different countries -- has been brilliant in his first two games for the struggling Sydney Thunder.

And while injury cripples the fast-bowling stocks, Nannes is sure to give selectors something to think about ahead of the Australia Day T20 against Sri Lanka at ANZ Stadium, as well as the January 28 clash at the MCG.

Even Hogg backed Nannes to shine, especially if he could build on his solid start in the Big Bash League, continuing on Thursday when the Thunder host Adelaide.

"I'd absolutely love to play for Australia again, but whether it's realistic, I don't know," Nannes said yesterday.

"Age shouldn't be a factor in an international team. The best XI in the country should be playing, pure and simple. It's not a developmental team.

"My last year of international cricket I took 27 wickets in something like 15 games. That was and still is the best year for any bowler in Twenty20 cricket. I felt absolutely dudded when dropped. And they couldn't really come up with an excuse when I grilled them about it.

"I kind of knew it was coming because it was the same week Simon Katich got the axe (from Australia), and there was a lot of heat in the press about the team getting old and stuff like that. But I'd love to (get back).

"The way I'm bowling at the moment, you go through phases where you know if you can bowl a ball in the right area -- and where you want to bowl it -- nobody can play it. I know I can still bowl those sorts of balls. I think I'm still good enough, but it's not up to me to pick the team."

Nannes finished with an overall T20 international record of 28 wickets at 16.39. He was the first Australian to choose playing for IPL team Delhi ahead of his then-domestic team Victoria.

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